The session will discuss challenges and opportunities and showcase integrated water strategies and actions for rapidly growing cities implemented by partnerships of different stakeholders. These strategies and actions go beyond sectoral or linear approaches by making smart use of this precious resource to tackle increasingly complex urban water issues.

Together we Talk to exchange knowledge and commit to collaborative action placing water in the center of urban development. The event will be followed by a joint Water Walk of about half an hour guided by an interactive app: Together We Walk. The interactive guided Water Walk takes participants through the unique urban setting that is New York, a place whose water stories speak of universal relationships between water and cities. A tour through selected sites in the city will showcase water initiatives in action and allow discussion between cities and professionals at this moment when many cities are struggling with common water and urban challenges. During the event we will visit a few sites, but later on you can ofcourse do the whole tour guided by the app.

Together We Struggle, as rapidly urbanizing world, with the demand and supply of water, protection from water-related disasters, while urbanized areas are also affecting hydrological cycles negatively. Climate change is now aggravating water security concerns and impacting most deeply the underserved communities.

Together We Act now at scale addressing the global water crisis. Transformative innovations ensuring equitable solutions on local level achieving SDG6 (Water) and SDG11 (Cities and Communities) through SDG17 (Partnerships), and many interrelated SDGs.

Together We Transition to wiser urban water management requires concerted attention by experts in urban planning, water quality, water operators, climate adaptation experts and citizens. Integrated, area-based, evidence-based planning and management approaches could leapfrog to a water secure and water resilient city for all.

Together We Place sub-surface use to solve water related challenges (infrastructure, storage of water, use of water, …) and planning to the center of urban developments.

Together We Connect water with citizens and stakeholders to increase value and awareness of water solutions and water related policies. Stakeholders with diverse disciplines and roles need to work together to place water at the center. Who are these actors and how are they working together to bring out the best in water for a sustainable, resilient, prosperous urban future for all?

Together We Take Action

Examples of transformative approaches that can be discussed and contribute to the Water Action Agenda:

• Progressive urban water utility initiatives that incorporate planned watershed conservation, strategic planning, water saving and recycling innovations, nexus approaches, public participation and affordability concerns while supporting their peer service providers in other countries through Water Operators Partnerships.
• Integrated Urban planning to ensure and manage resilient water sources for growing cities, preventing water-related disasters (droughts and floods) and promoting well-being, socio-economic and environmental assets for all
• Urban river regeneration for socio-economic and environmental development and building community resilience
• Coastal city planning to promote the blue economy, taking care of our oceans, jobs, and climate resilience
• Sustainable settlement recovery from water related disasters to develop people-centred resilient settlements through transformative planning and management tools and approaches

Informed by the discussed actions and with inputs from the session, we aim to derive concrete Actions on for the Action Agenda, together with urban water operations and urban planners from around the world. With defined actions we aim to accelerate the implementation of the objectives of the Decade, including through the UN Secretary-General’s Action Plan. These actions will be followed up in key events such as the HLPF on SDG 11, UN-Habitat Assembly and SURGe Initiative actions on the road to COP28 n 2023.  The session and Walk will encourage partners and the general audience to submit commitments and take actions to working together towards resilient urban water developments with United Nations System, national and local governments, private sector, Academia, and communities worldwide.

For your information: there is a maximum amount of people who can join, therefore it is not guaranteed that you can join the event.